By Robert Balajadia

Runners took over Sunday morning as the 2014 Guam International Marathon dominated the morning with runners participating in the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K setting a new record for participants with 2949 total runners competing!

First Marathon finisher Koki Kawachi. (photo by Asha Robles)

Japan’s Koki Kawachi topped all marathon runners setting a new course record with a time of 2:38:6. followed by Yusuke Inose and Yu Sugiyama to round out the top three male finishers.

South Korea’s Eunhee Youn captured first place again in her second straight Guam International Marathon at 3:04:43 with first-time marathon runner Norah Newcombe right behind her.

“It was wonderful!” said Youn with a smile. “She was very nervous heading into the race, but she’s very happy now,” said Youn’s translator.

Newcombe, who is also a newcomer to Guam, was one of the featured runners heading into the marathon and she admitted Guam’s weather played a bit of a factor in the run.

“It’s my first time here on Guam and running a marathon. Youn is a great competitor and se put her heart and soul in it at the end. It was ‘cat and mouse’ game running with Youn, but the better runner took it at the end. Guam is beautiful but it was difficult for me. The time for me was difficult and the air was humid. You can feel the humidity at the end and the last 2K’s seemed to go on forever!” said Newcombe.

Former Olympian Amy Atkinson, now teaching in Oregon, made a surprise appearance coming first in the women’s 5K division at 21:47.

“I came in Friday night just visiting. I was supposed to compete in the half marathon but I’m struggling with an injury so I haven’t been able to run. I had a plane ticket and I missed Guam, but I’m here just until Monday,” stated Atkinson.

Atkinson hopes to come back to Guam every year as she still considers the island her home.

Hideyuki Ikegami was the first finisher in the Half Marathon with 1:09:28 and Megumi Sugawara from Japan took the female half marathon in 1:37:24.

Kaoru Yamazaki from Japan took the male 10K in 33:57 and Saori Kawai from South Korea won the female 10K in 38:41. Jinsu Song from South Korea won the male 5K in 17:48 with Atkinson winning the female 5K.

Guam’s Ryan Matienzo was the first male resident to finish the marathon while Kristina Ingvarssan was the first female resident to cross.

Eunhee Youn comes in first place in the female Marathon division for the second straight GIM. (photo by Asha Robles)

2014 Guam International Marathon Top Finishers:

Marathon Male – 1st Koki Kawanchi, 2nd Yusuke Inose, 3rd Yu Sugiyama

Marathon Female – 1st Eunhee Yoon, 2nd Norah Newcombe, Yuka Yamazaki

Marathon 1st Resident Male – Ryan Matienzo

Marathon 1st Resident Female – Kristina Ingvarssan

Half Marathon Male – 1st Hideyuki Ikegami, 2nd Masakazu Oshawa, 3rd Takuya Saito

Half Marathon Female – 1st Megumi Sugawara, 2nd Yamika Sugahara, 3rd Ui Fujito

10K Male – 1st Kaoru Yamazaki, 2nd John Aquino, 3rd Christopher Magtoto

10K Female – 1st Saori Kawai, 2nd Marie Benito, 3rd Shie Yamada

5K Male – 1st Jinsu Song, 2nd Yasuto Kimura, 3rd Andrew Robinson

5K Female – 1st Amy Atkinson, 2nd Yuki Kobayashi, 3rd Joy Advincula

Official results coming soon!

PHOTO GALLERY

Amy Atkinson coming first place in the female division 5K. (photo by Asha Robles)

First half marathon male finisher Hideyuki Ikegami. (photo by Asha Robles)

Kaoru Yamakazi finishes as the first male 10K finisher. (photo by Asha Robles)

Marathon runners making their way back to the finish line. (photo by Asha Robles)

Half marathon runner Ayuri Sugahara crosses the finish line. (photo by Asha Robles)

 Half marathon runner Leticia Shimizu(photo by Asha Robles)

Veteran runner Rodney Bordallo completes the Marathon.(photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

Army veteran received a wave of support while crossing the finish line. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

Legend Joe Taitano finishes the 10K. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

Marie Benito finishes 2nd place in the 1ok. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

First place half marathon runner in the female division Megumi Sugawara. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

First place Male 5K winner Jinsu Song. (photo by Asha Robles)

The start of the 10K race. (photo by Asha Robles)

Runners stretching before the 10K. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)